UK internet of things pioneer Neul on menu for Chinese giant

A British firm looks set to play a leading part in knowledge development in the ‘Internet of Things’, after it was bought by Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Cambridge-based Neul has been snapped up for a reported $25million by Huawei, which specialises in developing ICT systems and networks.

Neul – whose name is Gaelic for ‘cloud’ – employs 30 people, and the deal with Huawei looks set to see that team grow, as chief executive Stan Boland told The Register.

“Huawei has a genuine affection for the UK and wants to build a real, deep research and development community,” he said.

The two firms have already collaborated on work to integrate a range of domestic appliances with the computers and smartphones which will act as the interfaces enabling users to control them.

The Register noted that a couple of venture capital firms, and a raft of small investors, are likely to see their investments in Neul pay off handsomely as a result of the deal.

A Huawei spokesperson said: “The acquisition of Neul gives Huawei improved access to the growing and exciting market in the IoT, which enables advanced connectivity of machines, devices, systems, and services under a variety of applications.

"Huawei has no doubt that the IoT market offers huge scope to expand and to deliver important new services and solutions to the customers.”